"Through a series of creative and tangible examples of what it means to work with Black youth, Dr. Johnson refuses to let us discard a simple question: what does it mean for Black youth to navigate the hostility and anti-Black violence of the U.S. schooling system? Additionally, his series of meditations push educators to contemplate a question of fugitivity and the future: what does it mean to work from a space of love knowing that ‘school’ in its historical and contemporary function is never intended to do right by you?"

--David Stovall, Illinois University of Chicago, USA

“This book is at once a searing, loving, unapologetic critique of English Education as we currently know it.  It is also an invitation for the transformation of the field. The fact that Lamar offers this timely analysis indicates that he is invested in wanting to see English Education become more relevant and equitable for all students.  Indeed, fighting against oppression in classrooms and curricula is an act of love for humanity.”

--Dr. Gloria Boutte, University of South Carolina, USA